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Kampala, Uganda — Today Uganda’s Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Simon Lokodo, announced that Uganda has approved funds for the “Pornography Control Committee,” which will not only persecute those found publishing or in possession of “pornography” but also be used to “detect” LGBT persons. At a press conference at the Uganda Media Center, following the launch of the Committee, … Continue reading Uganda’s “Pornography Control Committee” To Get Away With Tracking LGBT People

Yesterday the opening night of Uganda Pride 2017 was cancelled after the Ugandan Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Simon Lokodo, deployed Uganda Police at the event venue, threatened to arrest those expected to attend and “physically harm” a prominent LGBT activist. Needless to say, many in the Ugandan LGBT community were disappointed, angry, and frightened. As Grace … Continue reading Simon Lokodo: Reread the Ugandan Constitution, Pride is not illegal

Today was the publication of, "And That's How I Survived Being Killed": Testimonies of Human Rights Abuses From Uganda's Sexual and Gender Minorities by Sexual Minorities Uganda. Finally seeing it in print was such an amazing experience. The report includes testimonies from interviews of selected cases from the 264 documented cases of human rights abuses toward … Continue reading “And That’s How I Survived Being Killed”

From my fieldnotes (Kampala, 2015). I went to Rihanna’s place and asked her about masculinity. I needed to get some more insight into specific things she does to “play it straight” as a transgender woman in Kampala. A few weeks earlier she told me about “transgender ways” — and that they are difficult for her … Continue reading “Acting straightly—acting straight is really important”

From my fieldnotes (Kampala, 2015). "I identify myself as a trans woman. I feel myself to be a lady. It's me I can't change. I'm proud to be what I am. And I'm special." "At the moment I'm not schooling. I was expelled from school - they found me kissing, romancing another student in the … Continue reading “Because many of us are sex workers”

From my fieldnotes (Kampala, 2015). She looks shocked at what I asked. “Well of course. Because it’s easier for women to be accepted as lesbian because people think its just a phase.” “See even when you club it’s easier for a trans man to be beaten than for a woman. If you have that manly … Continue reading “If you have that manly aspect”

From my fieldnotes (Kampala, 2015). We are sitting in our usual spot. Except today the group is larger. ███ comes about five minutes after I get there. Still wearing what he was wearing to work today. He sat down ordered a beer and started talking about corruption in Uganda — and how the LGBT community … Continue reading “The heterosexuals are making us into a business”